Ukrainian Defense Forces have a French VAB Mk3 6x6 armored personnel carrier, armed with the domestically produced Sich remote-controlled weapon station. Photo of this unusual chassis–turret combination was published by the NIP Tysk online media outlet.
The precise location and timing of the photo remain unspecified, and so is the total number of these APCs at Ukraine's disposal. Noteworthy is that the vehicle is painted in the factory paint desert camouflage instead of Ukraine's pixel or French deep green pattern making the local weapon system stand out.
Read more: France, Inspired by Ukraine’s Experience, Modernizes Old Anti-Aircraft Automatic Cannons to Combat UAVs
NIP Tysk reminds that, in the fall of 2023, the French Ministry of Defense announced a collaboration contract between Arquus Defense, the French manufacturer of VAB, and a Ukrainian company to provide local service and support for the VAB APCs supplied to Ukraine, "in particular through the local production of parts. It (Arquus - ed.) is also studying the establishment of a partnership to produce VABs directly in Ukraine," according to the Ministry statement.
Since earlier versions of the VAB APC previously supplied to Ukraine were no longer in production, speculation arose that the latest VAB Mk3 would be provided — confirmed in 2024 when the Mk3 version began appearing in Ukraine.
Additionally, Defense Express recalls that in March 2024, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, announced the transfer of hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine, with VAB APCs comprising a significant portion of the shipment.
The VAB Mk3, first unveiled at the Eurosatory exhibition in 2012, has since been showcased in various configurations with different weapon stations.
According to its official datasheet from Arquus, the VAB Mk3 has a gross vehicle weight of 20 tons and accommodates two crew members and eight landing troops. It features ballistic protection compliant with STANAG 4569 Level 4 and as well as a floor armored against improvised explosive devices. The vehicle is transportable by C-130 aircraft.
The Sich RCWS, in turn, is a turret system developed in Ukraine and looks novel on the VAB in Ukrainian service. Earlier, this weapon station has been showcased on the locally-produced Varta 2 armored vehicle, with videos demonstrating its 30-mm cannon in action circulating online.
Aside from that, the Sich RCWS has been observed mounted on the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
Read more: One More APC Helps Liberate Territories of Ukraine: the French VAB Vehicle in Service With Airborne Forces
